Reversing water motor

ABSTRACT

An improved water motor adapted for ready reversal of the direction of motor rotation. A simple coupling device is affixed to outer ends of the motor water arms and curved nozzle portions are rotatably held therein, whereby the nozzle portions are easily rotated 180* to reverse the motor direction of rotation. In another embodiment, the motor water arms are interlocked or continuous, whereby rotation of one arm to the reversing position automatically rotates the diametric arm to its reversing position.

United States Patent Cornelius 1 Aug. 29, 1972 [54] REVERSING WATER MOTOR FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Inventor: Gail Cornelius, Portland, O g- 472,429 9/1937 Great Britain ..239/192 [73] Assigneel R M. wade & Co Portland Oreg. 149,601 1/1953 Australia... ..239/258 [22] Filed: Dec. 8, 1970 Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr.

Assistant Examiner-Thomas C. Culp, Jr. [211] Appl' 96008 Attorney-Fryer, Tjensvold, Feix, Phillips 81. Lempio [521 US. Cl .239/191, 239/251 1 1 ABSTRACT I [51] Int. Cl. ..B05b 3/18 An improved water motor adapted for ready reversal [58] Field Of Search .239/ 1 258 of the direction of motor rotation. A simple coupling device is afiixed to outer ends of the motor water arms [56] References Cited and curved nozzle portions are rotatably held therein, whereby the nozzle portions are easily rotated 180 to UNITED STATES PATENTS reverse the motor direction of rotation. In another em- 3,042,318 7/1962 Chow et al..... 239/251 x Water. arms interkcked 3 583 639 6/1971 Cornelius .239/191 x Y l of 3 3:030:030 4/1962 Rosenkranz .......:.:.239/251 x l aumllatlcauy Mates the dametm 2,883,116 4/1959 Muench ..239/191 eversmg 2,575,828 11/1951 Muench ..239/191 X 7 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 29, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 v INVENTOR v GAIL CORNELIUS ATTORNEYS Patented Au 29, 1972- v 3,687,373

2 Sheets-Shoot 2 TIE-J3 F', -II3 'E| INVENTOR GAIL CORNE LIUS ATTORNEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field The invention relates to automatic sprinkler systems, and particularly to an improved water motor for propelling the sprinkler system across a field.

2. Prior Art In the operation of an automatic, self-propelled sprinkling apparatus it is often necessary to reverse the direction of the movement of the line of pipe, which is accomplished by reversing the direction of rotation of the respective water motors. On systems wherein each pipe supporting water tower is driven by such rotary water powered motors, this has been accomplished in the prior art by loosening locknuts at the connection of the respective water arms to the water spinner, swiveling the arms 180, and retightening the locknut. This method has not proven satisfactory for it is difficult for the operator to consistently align the arms in a level, opposing position. The misalignment causes both a loss of power, and the generation of a poor irrigation pattern by the water motor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a simple reversing construction which overcomes the above noted shortcomings of the prior art. The water motor reversing means contemplates a complementary pair of hollow, cylindrical connectors which are disposed at a selectable position or positions along the water arms, and which allow 180, or less, sealed rotation of the extended water nozzles of the respective water arms. In one embodiment a pair of the rotatable connectors are disposed towards theends of respective water arms, and include integrally formed stops which provide for present, substantially horizontal, positioning of the water nozzles. A second embodiment includes a single pair of connectors, having extended engaging end portions, and disposed within the spinner, with the end portions providing mechanical coupling therebetween. Rotation of one water arm/nozzle imparts equal rotation to the opposite arm/nozzle. Stop means provides the preset, substantially horizontal positioning of the water nozzles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective of one support tower of the usual plurality of water towers in an automatic sprinkling system, showing a section of the sprinkler pipeline and a respective improved water motor of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of one embodiment of the motor reversing apparatus of the invention.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are end and plan views respectively of elements of the motor reversing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 7 is a cross section of an alternative embodiment of the motor reversal apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are end and plan views of elements of the apparatus of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an end view of the apparatus of, for example, FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 depicting an alternative orientation of the sprinkler arms and associated nozzles.

- FIG. 11 is an elevation of a longitudinally split connector for use with a single double ended water arm.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown by way of example, a support tower 12 and a corresponding section of a pipeline 14 of an automatic sprinkling apparatus 10, such as described for example in my copending U.S. applications Ser. No. 805,664 filed March 10, 1969 and Ser. No. 27,226 filed Apr. 10, 1970, said applications being assigned to the same assignee as this application.

The support tower 12 includes an A frame 16, supported upon a pair of wheels 18 each having its own pivotable, wheel-supporting, fork 20. As depicted, each support tower 12 is propelled by a respective water motor 22, the output of which is coupled to the wheels 18 via an output drive shaft 24 and gear train means 26, such as those described in the above mentioned copending U.S. applications. The A frame 16 includes a horizontal, pipe supporting, cross member 28 and a horizontal, water motor supporting, cross member 30, for supporting the pipeline 14 and the water motor 22, respectively.

In accordance with the invention, the water motor 22 includes a water spinner 32 and a water motor direction reversing means 34 integrally disposed therewith, as further described in different embodiments below. The spinner 32 is rotatably supported by the water motor supporting cross member 30, and is coupled at the upper end thereof to a source of pressurized water introduced to the motor 22 via a conduit 36 which extends from the pipeline 14 along portions of the A frame 16, to the pipeline 14. I

The water motor 22 is coupled at the lower end of the spinner 32 to the output shaft 24, which extends downwardly through the pipeline 14 via a shaft supporting means 38.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-6, there is illustrated by way of example only, an embodiment of the water motor direction reversing means 34 of FIG. 1. The means 34 in this particular configuration is integrally associated with a respective arm 42 of the water motor,

and in particular, is rigidly secured to the ends of the arms 42. Water nozzles 44 are rotatably secured to the reversing means 34, and extend opposite the water arms 42 as further described below. The water nozzles are adapted for rotation from a first substantially horizontal position 44a, to a second substantially horizontal position 44b disposed 180 or less from the first position.

The water arm 42 is secured to the water spinner 32 (FIG. 1), extends generally horizontally therefrom, and is sealably secured as by welding or threading to a bore 46 coaxially extending through a cylindrical female connector 48. The latter connector 48 has an annular seal surface 50 of a diameter larger than that of the bore 46, and is adapted with a groove 52 for receiving an O ring seal 54. A male connector 56 having an internal bore 58, has an annular, overlapping, seal surface 60 of slightly smaller diameter than that of the seal surface 50. A groove 62 is formed in the outer surface 60, and is in register with the groover 52 of the female connector 48. The O ring seal 54 is confined within the confronting grooves 52, 62 upon assembly of the male and female connectors 48, 56 and provides a rotatable seal means. The water nozzle 44 is integrally secured within the bore 58 of the male connector 56 as by welding or threading. A lock collar 64 and a shoulder of the connector 48, are internally and externally threaded respectively as at 66, to demountable secure the male and female connectors 56, 48 together in sealed, rotatable relation.

It will be apparent that female connector 48 and male connector 56 may also be sealed by means other than ring seal 54. For instance a simple washer type seal could be placed between the transversely abutting surfaces just to the left annular seal surfaces 50 and 60, respectively, of the female and male connectors. (FIG. 1).

Referring in addition to FIGS. 3,4 and 5,6, the connectors 56 and 48 include axially extending, arcuate, stops 68,70 respectively. The stops extend a selected arcuate length which, in this particular example, is one quadrant of 90. As previously noted, water arms 42 are rigidly fixed to the water spinner 32, and the female connector 48 is fixed in turn to the end of the water arm 42. Thus if the female connector is oriented with the stop 70 in the lower-right quadrant (when facing the stop end of the connector, FIG. 5) then the water nozzle 44 maybe securedto the male connector 48 with the latter oriented as in FIG. 3 (facing the stop end of connector 48), i.e., the stop 68 is in the upper-left quadrant. Assuming a downward view in FIG. 2, the water nozzle is in the position 44a. The confronting surfaces 68a, 70a of the stops 68, 70 maintain the horizontal water nozzle position 44a.

In accordance with the invention, the direction of rotation of the water motor is reversed, as is the direction of travel of the sprinkling apparatus (FIG. 1), by rotating the nozzle 44 through 180 to the horizontal position 44b. This position is maintained by the confronting surfaces 68b,'70b of the stops 68, 70 respectively. Thus the water nozzles 44 are readily and consistently placed in the desired horizontal position by an operator when reversing the motor direction.

It is sometimes desirable to orient the nozzles 44 at a slight upward angle relative to the horizontal, to provide better dispersion of the water from the water motor 22. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 10, a slight angle (of for example 2, 3, etc.) may be set on nozzles 44 by changing the arcuate length of the stops 68 and/or 70. For example, stop 70 is made longer with surface 70b disposed a few degrees beyond the vertical,

and surface 70a a few degrees above the horizontal (FIG. 5).

An alternative embodiment of the water motor direction reversing means 34, is depicted in FIGS. 7-9. In this embodiment the means for reversing the direction of motor rotation is integral with the water arms, but is further located within the water spinner 32 itself. A further feature of this embodiment is that the action of turning one of the water nozzles through 180 to an opposite horizontal position, automatically turns the opposite water nozzle through 180 to its new position.

Accordingly, the water spinner 32 includes a housing 72 adapted at its lower end to demountable receive the coaxially extending drive shaft 24. The upper, open end of the housing 72 is internally threaded as at 74 to threadably receive an externally threaded end of annular collar 76. A hexagonal portion 77 is provided to allow tightening the collar 76 against a flange 78 on the corresponding end of the conduit 36. Coupling seal means 80 is provided between the confronting surfaces of the collar 76 and flange 78.

Diametrically opposed holes 82, 84 are drilled through-the walls of the housing 72 to receive a pair of complementary annular connectors 86, 88 respectively. The connectors 86, 88 are afiixed as by welding or threading, to water arms 90, 92 which terminate in respective water nozzles (not shown). The connectors 86, 88 are provided with grooves 94, 96 which receive retainer rings 98, 100 respectively. A pair of O ring seal 102, 104 and seal retainers 106, 108 are confined between respective retainer rings 98, 100 and the confronting walls of the spinner housing 72. The connectors are externally threaded at the at the ends thereof connected to the water arms 90, 92 and receive locknuts 1 10, 112 respectively. Tightening the locknuts 110, 112 against the housing 72 a slight degree compresses slightly the O ring seals 102, 104 to provide a rotatable water seal between the connectors and the housing 72. A set screw 1 13 is provided in each locknut 110, 112, and is of the type having a soft lead pellet disposed between the end of the set screw and the threaded portion of the connectors to thus prevent deforming the threads. It may be seen that rotating the water arms 90, 92 likewise rotates the connectors 86, 88 as well as the locknuts 110, 112 relative to the housing 72.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 the connectors 86, 88 are provided with abutting, extended end portions 114, 116 respectively, whereby one connector is rotatably coupled in mechanical relation to the other. As particularly illustrated by connector 88 in FIGS. 8, 9, the confronting surfaceson the extended end portions may be formed at a slight angle B to an axially bisectin'g plane, such that a slight amount of slack or tolerance exists between the connectors 86, 88. This allows the water nozzles (not shown) integral with the water arms 90, 92 to assume a slight angle upward as portrayed by FIG. 10, when the pressurized water is in troduced to the water motor.

A stop device 118 includes a fixed stop 120 secured to the housing 72, which extends outwardly to bear against a pair of rotatable stops 122, 124 secured as by welding to the water arm 92 in opposing relation. As shown, the stop 122 is secured in such relation that arm 92 (i.e., nozzle) is held in a horizontal or slightly upwardly oriented position as desired, wherein 180 rotation of the arm positions the rotatable stop 124 against the other side of the fixed stop 120 with the nozzle'of arm 92 oriented horizontal or slightly upward. The opposite arm 90 and integral nozzle (not shown) is moved to, and maintained in, position opposite that of the arm 92 via the abutting extended end portions 1 14, 116.

. It is to be understood that the stop device 118 configuration shown in FIG. 7 is by way of example only. There are several configurations which may replace that shown as would be obvious to those skilled in the art. For example, the rotatable stop 122 may be 7 replaced by a rotatable stop fixed to water arm 90 and a confronting fixed stop disposed at the opposite side of the spinner housing 72. Or the rotatable stops 122, 124 may be replaced by a single arcuate stop formed of an arcuate half disc which extends 180 or less, and which is welded at its center to the water arm 92.

In accordance with the invention, rotation of the water arm 92 (and integral nozzle) and thus the connector 88, through and angle of 180, automatically causes the connector 86 and the water arm 90 to also rotate through a similar 180, since the two connectors are mechanically coupled together via the abutting extended end portions 1 14, l 16.

In one further embodiment of the invention, the connectors 86 and 88 may be combined into a single continuous part without any abutting surfaces like those at 114 and 116. This single connector is shown in FIG. 11 wherein the connector 131 comprises two identical halves 132, 133, which when placed together form a connector identical in external configuration with connectors 86, 88 if they were combined. The inner arcuate surfaces 134, 136 of the two halves 132, 133, respectively, are dimensioned to receive and clamp tightly therebetween a single double ended water arm 137 that extends radially away in two directions from water spinner 32.

Holes 138, 139 are drilled through the connector 131 and arm 137 to admit water from the interior of I water spinner 32 into the interior of arm 137, while lips 141, 142 at the edge of holes 138, 139 extend inwardly towards the interior of arm 137 to hold the connector 131 in fixed relationship to arm 137 to maintain the holes in alignment whereby the interior of arm 137 is in constant communication with the interior open portion of water spinner 32.

Utilizing all of the clamping parts shown in FIG. 7, it will be apparent that water arm 137 can be clamped tightly between split connector 131 within water spinner 32.

When it is desired to reverse the direction of the water motor, locknuts 110, 112 are loosened, and water arm 137 is rotated 180 within housing 72. The locknuts are then retightened to securely reclamp arm 137 between connector 131 within housing 72.

By way of explanation of how the invention mechanism is employed, the sequence of pipeline movement when irrigating large, adjacent fields with a water supply in the middle, consists of running the sprinkler line up one field to the end. The line is then disconnected from the tractor unit, is pulled into the adjacent field, and is reconnected to the tractor unit and water supply at its other end. The water motor direction of rotation is reversed in accordance with the invention, which automatically reverses the water sprinkling pattern direction, and the line is run down the second field in the opposite direction. The sequence is repeatable, as required.

What is claimed is:

1. A reversible water motor useful for propelling sprinkling apparatuses comprising: a motor body, a source of pressurized water connected to said body, a rotatable spinner comprising a portion of said motor body, output drive means coupled to the spinner, at least one water arm extending radially from the spinner and affixed thereto, a water nozzle secured to the extended end of said water arm, rotatable connector means securing the water nozzle to the water arm integral with said arm and nozzle and adapted for rotating said nozzle from one predetermined substantially horizontal position to an opposing predetermined substantially horizontal position, the rotatable connector 6 v means i cluding a first hollow connector port ion coupled to e respective water arm, a second hol ow connector portion coupled to the respective nozzle, said first and second Connectors coupled to each other, seal means preventing escape of water from said connector means, stop means in the vicinity of said connection between the water arm and nozzle and adapted to engage upon rotation of the nozzle with respect to its connected arm to define the predetermined substantially horizontal positions, and means for securing said connector means in one of the'two aforesaid positions.

2. The reversible water motor of claim 1, wherein the first and second connector portions further include annular cylindrical members defining concentrically overlapping portions, and said stop means includes extended arcuate stops angularly disposed to bear against confronting surfaces thereof to define the predetermined positions.

3. A reversible water motor comprising: a motor body, a source of pressurized water connected to said body, a rotatable spinner forming a portion of said body, output drive means coupled to the spinner, a pair of integrally formed water arms and water nozzles secured to connector means, said connector means including first and second hollow connectors coupled to respective water arms, the connectors being disposed in rotatable sealed relation through the spinner with the pair of water arms and integral nozzles extending oppositely therefrom, extended portions integral with each first and second connector and adapted to abut and thus mechanically couple the pair of opposing water arms together, and stop means cooperating with at least one of said arms and water spinner for selec tively determining a first substantially horizontal position and a second opposed substantially horizontal position of said nozzles.

4. The reversing water motor of claim 3 wherein the extended portions of said first and second connectors comprise interlocking approximately half-circle sections.

5. A reversible water motor comprising: a motor body, a spinner comprising a portion of said body, a source of pressurized water connected to said body and spinner, output drive means connected to said spinner, a single continuous water arm passing through said spinner, means to rotatably retain said water arm through said spinner, at least one water nozzle integral with an end of, said water arm and remote from said body, means hydraulically sealing the water arm through said spinner, said water arm further defining at least one hole communicating the interior of the water arm with the interior of the spinner, and stop means associated with said spinner and said arm to define a first horizontal position of the water nozzle on said arm and a second opposed horizontal position of said water nozzle.

6. The reversible water motor of claim 5 wherein said means rotatably retaining said water arm through said spinner comprises a connector split into two parts longitudinally along said water arm and said parts clamp the water arm therebetween. I

7. The reversing water motor of claim 5 wherein locking means maintain the connector and water arm in fixed relationship. 

1. A reversible water motor useful for propelling sprinkling apparatuses comprising: a motor body, a source of pressurized water connected to said body, a rotatable spinner comprising a portion of said motor body, output drive means coupled to the spinner, at least one water arm extending radially from the spinner and affixed thereto, a water nozzle secured to the extended end of said water arm, rotatable connector means securing the water nozzle to the water arm integral with said arm and nozzle and adapted for rotating said nozzle from one predetermined substantially horizontal position to an opposing predetermined substantially horizontal position, the rotatable connector means including a first hollow connector portion coupled to the respective water arm, a second hollow connector portion coupled to the respective nozzle, said first and second Connectors coupled to each other, seal means preventing escape of water from said connector means, stop means in the vicinity of said connection between the water arm and nozzle and adapted to engage upon rotation of the nozzle with respect to its connected arm to define the predetermined substantially horizontal positions, and means for securing said connector means in one of the two aforesaid positions.
 2. The reversible water motor of claim 1, wherein the first and second connector portions further include annular cylindrical members defining concentrically overlapping portions, and said stop means includes extended arcuate stops angularly disposed to bear against confronting surfaces thereof to define the predetermined positions.
 3. A reversible water motor comprising: a motor body, a source of pressurized water connected to said body, a rotatable spinner forming a portion of said body, output drive means coupled to the spinner, a pair of integrally formed water arms and water nozzles secured to connector means, said connector means including first and second hollow connectors coupled to respective water arms, the connectors being disposed in rotatable sealed relation through the spinner with the pair of water arms and integral nozzles extending oppositely therefrom, extended portions integral with each first and second connector and adapted to abut and thus mechanically couple the pair of opposing water arms together, and stop means cooperating with at least one of said arms and water spinner for selectively determining a first substantially horizontal position and a second opposed substantially horizontal position of said nozzles.
 4. The reversing water motor of claim 3 wherein the extended portions of said first and second connectors comprise interlocking approximately half-circle sections.
 5. A reversible water motor comprising: a motor body, a spinner comprising a portion of said body, a source of pressurized water connected to said body and spinner, output drive means connected to said spinner, a single continuous water arm passing through said spinner, meaNs to rotatably retain said water arm through said spinner, at least one water nozzle integral with an end of said water arm and remote from said body, means hydraulically sealing the water arm through said spinner, said water arm further defining at least one hole communicating the interior of the water arm with the interior of the spinner, and stop means associated with said spinner and said arm to define a first horizontal position of the water nozzle on said arm and a second opposed horizontal position of said water nozzle.
 6. The reversible water motor of claim 5 wherein said means rotatably retaining said water arm through said spinner comprises a connector split into two parts longitudinally along said water arm and said parts clamp the water arm therebetween.
 7. The reversing water motor of claim 5 wherein locking means maintain the connector and water arm in fixed relationship. 